Shelving structure



Dec. 27, 1966 R J. EVANS 3,294,25G

SHELVING STRUCTURE Original Filed March 5, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

@aber/ c/ Z'Vans M wh 1% BY 1 ATTORNEYS Dec. 27, 1966 R. J. EVANS3,294,250

SHELVING STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed March 5, 1964INVENTOR.

@oer/d A yans United States Patent 3,294,250 SHELVING STRUCTURE RobertJ. Evans, Aurora, Ill., assignor to Aurora Equipment Company, Aurora,111., a corporation of Illinois Original application Mar. 5, 1964, Ser.No. 349,623. Divided and this application Oct. 23, 1965, Ser. No.

15 Claims. (Cl. 211-.17 6) The present application is a division of mycopending earlier filed application entitled, Shelving Structure, SerialNo. 349,623, filed March 5, 1964, only directed to non-elected subjectmatter.

The present invention relates generally to a new and improved shelvingstructure.

An important object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedshelving structure that is adapted for using only one-half the number ofposts as is currently employed by most manufacturers.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedpost for use in a shelving structure which can be more economicallymanufactured from strip stock having a width of only two inches.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved manner of coaction between posts or uprights and shelvesattachable thereto.

A still further important object of this invention is to provide a newand improved technique for connecting or mounting the the shelves on theposts.

According to the general featuresof this invention, I have provided anew and improved shelving structure which includes shelves that aredisposable in end-to-end relation and which each possesses cut-awaycorners. The contiguous end-to-end related shelves define post receivingpockets. A series of corner posts are disposed in the pockets and areprovided with portions nestingly coordinated with the pockets. Meansjoin the nested portions of the posts and the cut-away corners togetherto separate the shelves on the posts. In one form of my invention, thepockets are of a V-shaped configuration when the shelves are positionedin end-to-end relation. In this form, the posts are generally of aV-shaped cross section. In another form of my invention, the pockets areof an arcuate configuration and arcuately configured posts are providedfor coaction therewith.

According to other features of this invention, different types of meanshave been provided for mounting the shelves on the posts. An an example,one important form utilizes a stud bearing bracket that is supported onledges positioned beneath the associated shelf with the stud carriedthereon extending through the cut-away corner or corner recess of theshelf for attachment with a key-hole slot on the post associatedtherewith.

Other objects and features of this invention will more fully becomeapparent in view of the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating therein severalembodiments and in which:

On the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a shelving structureembodying important features of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary front view of the shelving structure shown inFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded bottom view of the shelvingstructure;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view with the studshown in elevation illustrating the coaction of the components inassembly with a modified shelf;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a post;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a shelf;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of one type of stud bearing bracketuseable with the shelf shown in FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of another type of stud bearing bracketuseable with the shelf shown in FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 9 is a side view of the bracket shown in FIG- URE 8 only with aportion of the bracket being broken away and shown in section;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of still another type of stud bearingbracket where the stud is formed as an extrusion;

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view of the bracket shown in FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIGURE 6 butillustrating a modified type of shelf corner; and

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary view of a corner shelf with a stud formed asan extrusion thereon.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral 10 indicates a shelving structure and thestructure has a series of vertically spaced shelves 11 which areattachably mounted on a series of angular posts 12 positioned at thefour corners of each shelf. As is illustrated in FIGURE 1, the shelves11 can be disposed in side-by-side relation and the pair of posts 12positioned between the side-by-side related shelves can serve to supportseparate rows of shelves rather than a single row.

Each of the angular posts has a pair of post legs 13, 13 and verticallyspaced key-hole slots or post slots 14 are provided on the legs. Aseries of studs 15 are also provided for securing the shelves 11 to theangular posts 12 according to other important features of thisinvention. Each stud 15 has an enlarged head 15a and a reduced head 15bdisposed at opposite ends of a central cylindrically shaped stud portion15c.

The shelves 11 each include a fiat shelf portion 16 which isperipherally bound by underturned marginal fianges 'or sides 17. Joinedwith the sides 17 are a series of inwardly turned angle bracket carryingshelf flanges or ledges 18. Each shelf has four flatted or cut-awaycorners 19. These corners 19 are formed by die cutting flat sheets ofsteel whereby corner portions of the shelf portions 16, 17 and 18 areremoved. After the shelf portions 16, 17 and 18 are formed to shape asshown in FIGURE 6 and as a result of the previously described notchingoperation, corner notches or recesses 20 are formed at the four cornersof each shelf 11. The ledges 18 are reduced in width at 18a, 18a (FIGURE3) adjacent to each of the cut-away corners 19 to enable the studs 15 tobe more readily projected through the notches 20.

As a result of my tests and study, a number of new types of systems havebeen developed for securing the shelf ll having the cut-away corners 19to the posts. One of the preferred forms which I have developed isillustrated in FIGURE 3. In this instance a stud supporting bracket 21has been provided for each corner. The bracket 21 is generally C-shapedand is channeled along its length. The bracket 21 has a central bracketportion 21a and a pair of converging bracket leg portions 21b are joinedwith its opposite ends. The central bracket portion 21a has a hole 210.

Before the shelves 11 are mounted on the posts 13, a group of cornerbrackets 21 are positioned so that the holes 210 are in alignment withthe corner notches 20. The ledges 18 provide means for supporting thebrackets 21 in assembly with the shelves before the shelves are finallymounted on the angular posts 12. The shelves are then mounted betweenthe angular posts 12, and the reduced heads 15b of the studs 15 areprojected through the holes 21c, the notches 20 and the key-hole slots14.

The assembled position of the stud is clearly illustrated in FIGURE 3and it will here be noted that the enlarged head 15a bears against thecentral section 21a of the bracket to hold the bracket securely againstthe post leg 13. The reduced stud head 15b bears against an insidesurface of the post leg 13 to insure that the shelf will be securelyattached with the post leg. By utilizing the key-hole shaped slots 14,the cylindrically shaped stud section 150 can be wedgingly engaged withdiverging side edges of the slots. The shelves 11 can be readilydisassembled from the posts by forcing each shelf in an upward directionto release the wedge fit between the studs 15 and the post legs so thatthe reduced head 15b of the stud can be disengaged from the associatedkeyhole slot 14.

When the shelves are positioned in side-by-side relation, the contiguousflatted corners 19 coact to form post receiving pockets 22. In the shelfstructure illustrated in FIGURES 1-3, the post legs 13 on each post 12are of equal length and positioned 90 from one another. The shelves 11are notched in such a way to permit the post legs to be engaged in flushrelation against the flatted corners. Also, the post legs are nestedwithin the post receiving pockets 22.

A modified form of shelf bracket is illustrated at 31 in FIGURE 7. Eachbracket 31 can be used in place of a pair of the brackets 21 illustratedin FIGURE 1. The bracket 31 is continuously channeled along its lengthand includes a pair of endlegs 32 and 33 which are joined with diagonallegs 34 and 35. The diagonal legs 34 and 35 are joined together by anelongated bracket leg 36 which extends substantially the entire front toback dimension of the shelf. The bracket 31 is adapted to be supportedon the shelf legs 18 in the same manner as previously described. Ifdesired, studs 37, 37 can be extruded fro-m the diagonal bracket legs 34and 35- or welded to them. As illustrated, the studs 37, 37 are securedby welds with the bracket 31 in the same manner illustrated in FIGURES 8and 9 to be hereafter described in further detail.

In FIGURES 8 and 9, a further modification is illustrated. In thisinstance, a stud supporting bracket or corner bracket 41 is illustratedas being provided with a stud 45. The bracket 41 and the stud 45 arevery similar to the bracket 21 and the stud 15 except that an enlargedhead 45a of the stud is welded at 46 to a central section 41a of thebracket 41. The bracket 41 can be assembled with the shelf 11 and theposts 12 in essentially the same manner as previously described.

In FIGURES 10 and 11 is still another modified type of stud supportingbracket 51. Here the bracket is provided with a stud 55 which comprisesan extrusion and is formed from the metal of central bracket section 56.The bracket 51, as well as the other brackets previouly described, canbe formed from any suitable material and excellent results areobtainable where sheet steel is used.

In FIGURES 12 and 13 modified shelves are indicated at 61 and 71. Inboth instances, the shelves are formed from flat sheet stock and thecorners are notched, but corner flaps 62 and 72 remain attached withfiat shelf portions 66, 76 along fold lines 67, 77. Side flap edges 68,68 and 78, 78 may be welded to underturned marginal flanges or sides 69,69 and 79, 79. By forming the shelves 61 and 71 with the flaps 62 and72, it is not necessary to use stud brackets to assist in attaching theshelves to shelf posts. With the shelf 61, a stud such as the stud 15can be projected through corner flap hole 63. In FIGURE 13, a stud 73 isformed as an extrusion from the material of the flap 72.

In FIGURE 4 a modified shelf 11' is illustrated with the bracket andstud being identical to those in FIGURE 3. In FIGURE 3, the bracket 21is adapted to be carried on the flanges 18, while in FIGURE 4 the fiange18' and its edges 18c'1'8c' are shorter providing clearance to permitthe shelf to be moved directly on top of the bracket 21 to facilitateassembly.

In the assembly of the shelving components shown in FIGURE 4 thebrackets such as the bracket 21 can be assembled on the post 13 byengaging the stud head 15!) in the key-hole slot 14. Thereafter, theshelf 11' can be guided into position in such a way that flatted orcut-away corners 19 are positioned in assembled relation between thestud end 15a and the associated leg of the post 13. In the assembly ofthe stud bracket with the post 13, the stud would be extended throughthe stud bracket hole 210 thus securing the stud 15, the stud bracket 21and the post 13 together. Where the stud is operatively connected withthe stud bracket such as is shown in FIGURES 8, 9, 10 and 11, theseparate step of positioning the stud with respect to the stud bracketwould not be required so that the stud bracket would itself be directlymounted on the post and so that the shelf 11' can thereafter be movedinto assembled relation with these previously assembled components withthe modified shelf 11'. It will be appreciated that this type ofoperation facilitates the rapid assembly of the components and effectslabor savings by the user of the subject invention.

Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in theart, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope ofthe patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably andproperly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a shelving structure,

a shelf having cut-away corners,

a series of corner posts each comprising strip stock and having a pairof integrally connected convergently related leg portions each of whichhas a row of vertically spaced lug-receiving slots and the slots of eachrow being horizontally aligned with the corresponding slots of the otherrow, said leg portions confronting said cut-away corners 'with certainof said slots aligned therewith, studs projecting outwardly from saidcut-away corners into and engaged in said slots and shavinig enlargedstud heads at opposite ends, and

stud supporting brackets at inner sides of said out-away corners witheach bracket having a bracket portion held in face-to-face relationagainst one of said leg portions on said posts by said enlarged studheads and with said studs being projected through respective slots insaid stud supporting brackets,

one of each of the enlarged stud heads being engaged againstrespectively oppositely facing sides of said leg portion and said studsupporting bracket, the distance between said enlarged heads on eachstud being only slightly greater than the combined thickness of theassociated leg portion of the post and the bracket portion to insurethat the three associated components including the leg portion, theshelf and the associated bracket may be readily assembled but are heldin substantially rigid assembly together.

2. In a shelving structure,

shelves disposed in end-to-end relation each having out-away corners andwith adjacent cut-away corners defining post receiving pockets,

a series of corner posts complementary to and disposed in said pocketsand each having leg portions with each leg portion having a pair ofintegrally connected convergently related vertically spaced key-holeslots for association with said cut-away corners and with one of saidleg portions engaging one of said cutaway corners on one of said shelvesand with another of said leg portions engaging one of said cutawaycorners on another of said shelves, and

supporting brackets engaged by said shelves and having studs extendingthrough holes in said brackets,

the studs having enlarged heads at opposite ends with one head beingdisposed at the inside of said bracket and with another head beingdisposed in said pocket and the stud engaged in a keyhole slot of saidpost.

3. The structure of claim 2 further characterized by said studs being inwelded assembly with said brackets.

4. The structure of claim 2 further characterized by at least one ofsaid brackets having opposite ends carrying said studs and associatedwith a pair of said cutaway corners.

5. The structure of claim 2 further characterized by said cut-awaycorners each including an upright portion having a hole therein, thestud supporting brackets each having a stud projected through the holein said upright portion of said corner into engagement with a slot insaid corner post.

6. In a shelving structure,

a shelf having a central shelf portion and angular marginal shelfflanges about the perimeter and with the shelf ha ving cut-away cornersat the corner junctions of the angular marginal shelf flanges which areopen at bottom ends,

a series of corner posts complementary to said cutaway corners andhaving a pair of integrally connected convergently related leg portionswith said leg portions having vertically spaced post slots forassociation with said cut-away corners, angular stud supporting bracketseach having a stud engaged in an associated one of said post slots forenabling said posts to support shelves,

the shelf being mountable on the corner posts by positioning the shelfin overlying relation to the studs and moving the shelf downwardlyengaging the cut-away corners of the shelf between the stud supportingbrackets and the post and supporting the shelf by means of the studs.

7. The shelving structure of claim 6 further characterized by said studbeing formed integral as an embossing on said stud supporting bracket.

8. The shelviing structure of claim 6 further characterized by said studcomprising a separate element for assembly with the stud supportingbracket.

9. In a shelving structure,

shelves disposed in end-to-end relation each having recessed corners andwith adjacent recessed corners defining outwardly opening post receivingpockets, a series of corner posts complementary to and disposed in saidpockets and each having a pair of integrally connected inwardlyconvergently and outwardly flaringly related leg portions with each legportion having vertically spaced slots for association with saidrecessed corners and with one of said leg portions engaging one of saidrecessed corners on one of said shelves and with another of said legportions engaging one of said recessed corners on another of saidshelves, and projections extending outwardly from said recessed cornersinto and releasably engaged in said slots for supporting the shelves onthe posts.

10. A shelving structure as defined in claim 9, in Which saidprojections comprise studs extruded from shelf material at said recessedcorners.

11. A shelving structure as defined in claim 9, including shelf engagingbrackets from which said projections extend.

12. A shelving structure as defined in claim 9, including bracketsengaging the shelves and extending longitudinally therealong and havingopposite end portions aligned with opposite recessed corners of saidshelves and said projections extending from said aligned portions of thebrackets.

13. A shelving structure as defined in claim 9, including 'brackets withwhich the shelves are engaged and which brackets have said projectionscomprising studs welded thereto.

14. A shelving structure as defined in claim 9, ineluding bracketsengaged by said shelves and said projections comprising studs extrudedfrom the material of the brackets.

15. A shelving structure as defined in claim 9, in which said recessedcorners of the shelves have underturned corner flanges each providedwith a hole therethrough and said projections comprising studs extendingthrough said holes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 359,691 3/1887Reed 1081l4 1,554,011 9/1925 Lehman 108--107 1,689,481 10/ 1928Gerberich l08-64 1,952,111 3/1934 Bales 108-107 2,639,043 5/1953 Dunham108-64 2,939,589 6/1960 Handler et al. 108l44 2,948,409 8/ 1960.Wrobkeski et al 211-176 2,990,067 6/ 1961 Bartlett 108144' 3,104,6279/1963 Fohn 108-157 FOREIGN PATENTS 632,482 12/1961 Canada. 568,10010/1957 Italy.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. W. D. LOULAN, Assistant Examiner.

2. IN SHELVING STRUCTURE, SHELVES DISPOSED IN END-TO-END RELATION EACH HAVING CUT-AWAY CORNERS AND WITH ADJACENT CUT-AWAY CORNERS DEFINING POST RECEIVING POCKETS A SERIES OF CORNER POSTS COMPLEMENTARY TO AND DISPOSED IN SAID POCKETS AND EACH HAVING LEG PORTIONS WITH EACH LEG PORTION HAVING A PAIR OF INTEGRALLY CONNECTED CONVERGENTLY RELATED VERTICALLY SPACED KEY-HOLE SLOTS FOR ASSOCIATION WITH SAID CUT-AWAY CORNERS AND WITH ONE OF SAID LEG PORTIONS ENGAGING ONE OF SAID CUTAWAY CORNERS ON ONE OF SAID SHELVES AND WITH ANOTHER OF SAID LEG PORTIONS ENGAGING ONE OF SAID CUTAWAY CORNERS ON ANOTHER OF SAID SHELVES, AND SUPPORTING BRACKETS ENGAGED BY SAID SHELVES AND HAVING STUDS EXTENDING THROUGH HOLES IN SAID BRACKETS, THE STUDS HAVING ENLARGED HEADS AT OPPOSITE ENDS WITH ONE HEAD BEING DISPOSED AT THE INSIDE OF SAID BRACKET AND WITH ANOTHER HEAD BEING DISPOSED IN SAID POCKET AND THE STUD ENGAGED IN A KEYHOLE SLOT OF SAID POST. 